A Russian state human rights commission will conduct an unplanned inspection of a Siberian prison after it failed to release dissident Ildar Dadin.
Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for repeatedly violating laws restricting public protest, Dadin came to public prominence in late 2016 when he penned a letter to his wife alleging systematic torture in prison. On Feb. 22, the Russian Supreme Court overturned Dadin's conviction. Nonetheless, he remains behind bars.
"I don't understand why the court's decision has not been implemented," said Alexei Belous, chairman of the Public Oversight Commission (POS) in Altai Kray, where Dadin is imprisoned. "There was a live broadcast of the hearing. The prison administration knows the court's decision."
However, the Altai IK-5 prison reportedly did not receive the court decision on Feb. 23 — a condition that the warden said was required for Dadin's release, Anastasia Zotova, Dadin's wife, told Russia's independent Dozhd television channel.
But Belousov alleges this is not a requirement in cases where a verdict is overturned. His organization will now pay an unscheduled visit the prison tomorrow to clarify the situation.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
